Blog

OH-based CardinalCommerce has signed Spectrum Merchant Services, whose annual processing exceeds $500 million, for the “Cardinal Centinel” merchant authentication software. Spectrum Merchant Services is the latest in a series of merchant service providers signed in the last six months by CardinalCommerce, including Heartland Payment Systems, Paradata Systems, eProcessing Network, Innovative Merchant Solutions, Transactional Technologies, and DCTI.

Poland’s Bank Przemyslowo-Handlowy PBK has signed an ATM network participation agreement with Hungary-based Euronet Worldwide. Starting December 20th, BPH PBK’s 2.6 million customers will be able to use any of Euronet’s 430 ATMs throughout Poland without being charged additional fees. This agreement increases the bank’s ATM network from 720 ATMs owned by BPH PBK to a total of 1,150 ATMs, according to The RAM Report ([www.ramreport.com][1]). Under terms of the deal, transactions by BPH PBK customers on Euronet ATMs will be switched directly to the bank for authorization and settlement. The bank has agreed to monthly transaction minimums and will pay a fixed fee per transaction to Euronet. Bank Przemyslowo-Handlowy PBK is the third largest bank in Poland, which is owned by the second largest bank in Germany, HypoVereinsbank AG.

A Miami group of predominantly Latin businessmen have teamed to form Mondopolitan to be an international provider of debit and credit cards running on the MasterCard, Maestro, and Cirrus networks. The group is planning to launch its “MondoCard” in the first quarter of 2003 to the Hispanic un-banked and the credit-challenged market in the USA. The new card will feature voice activated/Internet-based account information system which will be offered in English, Spanish and Portuguese languages. Multiple card issuance with sub-account numbers and preset spending limits will be offered so that consumers can effectively manage their entire household spending with one account. The company estimates there are more than 21 million people with roots in Mexico living in the USA with roughly 16 million of them in California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico.

Trying to use a credit or debit card in Cyprus this weekend will be all but impossible. The banks in Cyprus have decided to stop all card transactions, regardless of brand, effective midnight tonight, local time, following a labor strike at JCC Payment Systems Ltd. MasterCard said this morning it does not know when acceptance will resume. MasterCard said the stoppage is due to a continuing labor strike within the data center of JCC. MasterCard cardholders only will still be able to access cash at the 19 National Bank of Greece (Cyprus) ATMs that are available throughout the country since NBG does not have its card transactions processed by JCC. Cardholders with MasterCard and Maestro cards, issued by Bank of Cyprus, Popular Bank, Hellenic Bank, National Bank of Greece (Cyprus), Federal Bank of the Middle East will also be able to withdraw money from the ATMs of these banks.

National Processing Company’s COO Mark Pyke has been appointed to the ETA Board of Directors. ETA is the leading international trade association representing organizations offering electronic transaction processing products and services. Its membership represents leading companies providing services between merchants and settlement banks, financial institutions and businesses providing equipment or services to the industry.

FL-based WildCard Systems said this week it is powering the new “National City VISA Gift Cards’, which are currently being issued from the bank’s branch banking locations. WildCard Systems provides a complete technology solution for the National City Gift Cards, handling card issuance, transaction processing, fraud management solutions specifically designed for stored-value cards, and customer service. WildCard Systems also designed, developed and currently hosts the National City Gift Card Web site, which consumers can access through NationalCity.com.

EDS and Bank of America have signed a $4.5 billion managed network outsourcing services agreement. The relationship will enable Bank of America to continue to deliver high quality and more efficient service for customers. EDS will provide Bank of America end-to-end operations including flexible, secure telecommunications solutions that apply best-in-class technology and processes.

Bank Przemyslowo-Handlowy PBK has signed an ATM network participation agreement with Hungary-based Euronet Worldwide. Starting December 20th, BPH PBK’s 2.6 million customers will be able to use any of Euronet’s 430 ATMs throughout Poland without being charged additional fees. This agreement increases the bank’s ATM network from 720 ATMs owned by BPH PBK to a total of 1,150 ATMs. Under terms of the deal, transactions by BPH PBK customers on Euronet ATMs will be switched directly to the bank for authorization and settlement. The bank has agreed to monthly transaction minimums and will pay a fixed fee per transaction to Euronet. Bank Przemyslowo-Handlowy PBK is the third largest bank in Poland, which is owned by the second largest bank in Germany, HypoVereinsbank AG.

Bioscrypt EMEA says biometric sales have been increasing significantly. The company has made installations for the Government of Saudi Arabia, where 152 “V-Stations” are being deployed for government buildings; Mauritius where 72 “V-Stations” are employed to secure the Mauritius Commercial Bank and, in London, at the London City Airport, where over 30 “V-Prox” readers will be deployed throughout the airport to enhance security. Additionally, countries such as Lebanon, Croatia and India have ramped up the purchase of Bioscrypt readers, a first for these emerging countries, to secure government and commercial buildings from unwanted access .Bioscrypt ofers the largest number of reader offerings in the biometric industry, including the “V-Smart,” “V-Flex,” “V-Pass,” “V-Prox,” and “V-Station” readers.

Tokyo’s Cable & Wireless IDC has purchased an additional switch from PayStar Corporation to expand its existing prepaid calling card platform. The new switch, which will be located in Ariake, Japan, extends the maintenance and support agreement which is currently in place with PayStar. The company is comprised of three fully integrated divisions: PayStar GLOBALCash, supplying prepaid ATM and MasterCard products and services, PayStar InfoStations, providing Internet enabled kiosks, and PayStar SHS, providing commercial telephony switch services.

Capital One says its “National Mascot of the Year Contest” will end at midnight December 20th with the results to be announced New Year’s Day. Right now, the Nittany Lion from Penn State is in first place in the popular online vote. The Capital One National Mascot of the Year will be announced during the Capital One Bowl on Jan. 1, 2003.

Vancouver-based DataWave Systems has entered into an agreement with National Money Mart Company in Victoria to develop and distribute prepaid stored value cards. Under the agreement, DataWave and Money Mart have established a joint venture called NextWave Card Corporation. The new entity will offer prepaid and stored valued cards to Money Mart’s 287 corporately owned, franchise and agent locations. Money Mart is the largest convenience-based retail financial services company in Canada.